The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Chapter 22

The day after the Oscars, Serena and Laurent's 'relationship' was all anyone could talk about. As the days passed, the noise only grew louder. Fans were captivated, the media was in a frenzy, and casual conversations everywhere buzzed with speculation and excitement. Each new headline seemed to fuel the fire, and the public couldn't get enough of the drama unfolding before their eyes.

In a lively downtown café, a group of friends leaned in close, eyes wide with gossip.

"Did you see the Oscars four days ago?" one person asked, practically bouncing in their seat. "Laurent and Serena are actually dating? They used to hate each other, then the next day there were rumors, and now—look at them! It's insane!"

Her friend nodded, pulling out her phone and scrolling through endless headlines and fan theories. "I know! They used to be fire and ice!"

"I still don't believe it," a third chimed in, crossing her arms. "This has to be a PR stunt. I mean, it's all too perfect, right? They go from fighting on set to suddenly being this perfect 'opposites attract' couple?"

The first friend shrugged. "Maybe, but who cares? They look incredible together. Can you imagine the movies they'll make now?"

The second friend scoffed. "They do have a film coming up! I'm definitely watching!"

Another chimed in, pulling up a gossip blog on their phone. "Oh my god, look at this! People are saying they've been secretly dating for months. I mean, how can anyone deny it? The rumors are everywhere—it's definitely real. There are so many pictures of them together!"

Social media platforms exploded with the news, with fans and critics alike analyzing every possible detail of their relationship. Posts flooded timelines and hashtags trended globally:

@xxxol: "I still can't believe Laurent and Serena are a thing! I've shipped them for years! #OscarsSurprise #DreamCouple"

@iluvena: "Finally someone strong enough to handle the Ice Queen! Laurent, you better treat her right! #PowerCouple #SerenaAndLaurent"

@SkepticBlog: "This has PR stunt written all over it. But hey, whatever sells tickets, right? #HollywoodGames #NotBuyingIt"

Behind the scenes, Alen and Iso found themselves overwhelmed by the sudden demand. The phones didn't stop ringing, their inboxes were overflowing, and every major talk show, endorsement deal, and magazine wanted a piece of Serena and Laurent together. Every production wanted them cast as a duo, and every brand wanted them to be their next celebrity endorsement.

"I haven't had a single minute of peace since last night," Alen muttered as he sorted through yet another stack of interview requests for Laurent. "If this is how it's going to be, I don't know how they'll keep up."

Iso laughed, already flipping through a list of talk show appearances for Serena. "She'll manage. And so will he. They're the biggest stars in the business right now—they can handle the heat."

Serena and Laurent's first joint talk-show appearance had been meticulously planned and scheduled for that evening, a mere four days after the Oscars bombshell. The studio was buzzing with fans eagerly lining up outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood's newest 'it' couple.

Dressed to perfection, Serena and Laurent entered the set, their chemistry still off the charts. Every glance, every subtle touch, was calculated yet so well-executed that it felt real. The host, grinning ear to ear, couldn't contain her excitement.

"Well, well, well! Look at this iconic duo! You've got everyone talking," the host gushed, turning to Laurent. "You and Serena have known each other for years, right? From what we've heard, it wasn't always... amicable?"